Twelve books by leading Macedonian writers as of today are available on the website “Makedonika” – one of the largest digital libraries in the region and the only one that offers books for free.

Visiting the library on Tuesday, Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska promoted the project as part of a programme on supporting electronic publishing.

“It is a very encouraging fact that the electronic publishing, i.e. digital publication of e-books, e-magazines, etc - which is a global trend - is starting to bloom in Macedonia. The Ministry of Culture is looking for ways to support electronic publishing. This year, MKD 3 million (approximately 49,000 euros) have been singled out for this purpose, including the support for Makedonika Foundation. With assistance provided by the ministry, twelve leading authors will find their place in the digital library and they include Slavko Janevski, Gjorgi Abadziev, Zivko Cingo, etc,” Kanceska-Milevska told reporters.

Electronic publishing, she added, is crucial because it contributes to enriching the body of knowledge of readers as the Makedonika electronic library is also used a lot by the Diaspora.

“We (the the Ministry of Culture) will keep on supporting the field because one of the priorities is electronic publishing,” Kanceska-Milevska said.

Launched 20 months ago, Makedonika offers over 600 free books and includes more than 32,000 registered readers from Macedonia and abroad.

Makedonika Foundation is a platform aiming at preserving and nourishing Macedonian literature and promoting reading and writing. Over hundred books can be found on its website, released for the first time in digital form.

Moreover, the Ministry of Culture through its programme for providing support to the digital publication has also supported a number of e-magazines and e-publications.